Trumaine Johnson learns more about being an NFL cornerback in every game he plays.

This weekend, he'll learn his lessons close to home.

Johnson and the St. Louis Rams will meet the San Francisco 49ers at 1:25 p.m. Sunday at Candlestick Park. It will be the first NFL game in Northern California for Johnson, a Stockton native and Edison High graduate.

He said as many as 40 or 50 of his friends and family will be at the game.

"I started to look forward to this game as soon as I got drafted here and knew it was on the schedule," Johnson said. "I'm anxious to play close to home."

Johnson, 22, had 15 career interceptions at Montana and was a third-round choice of the Rams (65th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. St. Louis secondary coach Chuck Cecil said Johnson's 6-foot-2 frame and athletic ability played into their decision, and that the Rams haven't been disappointed.

Playing in some defensive packages and on special teams, Johnson has an interception, two pass deflections and six tackles in the first eight games.

"To say he is moving in the right direction would be an understatement," said Cecil, a former Pro Bowl safety who played with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Houston Oilers.

"He has developed and progressed even more than we had hoped. I couldn't be more pleased. He has really worked hard to do the things he needs to do to be a successful cornerback in the NFL."

Johnson said there has certainly been an adjustment to playing pro football, which he dreamed of doing since he was young. And he hopes to continue his improvement against the 49ers, St. Louis' NFC West rival.

"It's a new experience. I learn something new every day," Johnson said. "I'm always working on technique. They throw so much at you; I just try to take it all in and get better."